Kite attachment, clip, auxiliary retainer, and release mechanism



Sept. 12, 1950 J, wo

KITE ATTACHMENT, CLIP, AUXILIARY RETAINER, AND RELEASE MECHANISM 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1948 R m! m x ER J. WOLF KITE ATTACHMENT,CLI

P, AUXILIARY Sept. 12, 1950 RETAINER, AND RELEASE MECHANISM .4vSheets-Sheet 2 Filed nee. 7, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

' J. WOLF KI'I'E ATTACHMENT 0 LIP, AUXILIARY- RELEASE MEC Sep 12, 1950HANISM RETAINER AND 4 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 7, 1948 Sept. 12, 19502,522,422

- J. WOLF KITE ATTACHMENT, CLIP, AUXILIARY RETAINER, AND RELEASEMECHANISM Filed Dec. '7, 1948 AShee't Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Sept. 12, 1950 ATTACHMENT, CLIP, AUXILIARY RE- '1 e H wn smmeMEcnAMsM"' lcsephwslf B oom-x918 Y- .eynlieaiiperil sem 7, 94 rie..NP-fi ;998

The present invention -rele tato -a. -device ior retaining individual ora plurality of varied attachments, sup-ported uak'ite string, whi;le thekite is in -flight, anqpositi-vemeansiw rapidly releasing theseattachments) such means being pontrollable by the operator on theground.

In fiying-k-ites of vrious-types, 7 it has been I -;i i; nd that theinterest QOn me am enhanced byhav-ing attached; to 'the string of thekite, a.

numben'of objects, such as miniature-gliders,

parachute-home figures, birgl models and- -the '-l i1;e,which may'befrel'ealsed, while the kiteis in the air, the various objectsfloatingdownward -a.iid returning to the ground.

" ile various-devices Ofthisgeneml type have been available,themethod.of supportingthe I 'si ftiai mii rits 'on the kite string, andthe-method of releasing them therefrom have not been-generallysatisfactory, due primarily-to the fact that the operator couldnot'control'andregulate-the of relea,s'e, while the kite was in flight.

In devices ofthis character, it isessentiialthat all of the attachments,carried on the kite string, be as light as practicable, {so as not toretard "the #raising of-th'kite, or affect its maneuverability. It isfurther' essential that the clip or support used for retaining thevarious .attalchmehts Joe-light;

{and that thelock or' latchingf-mecha nisrn used to hold the objects inthe air be positive, so thet the qb jectswill not be released; until thoperator is' reidy'to release them. v l I is therefore essentialthatgsin ple, positive relefiseficoiitrollalbl'e fron 'the groundgbeprovided ofdertb' enable the operator to 'eleese the"varioiisattachrnents, it will, when the kite-has objects are -over a.selected area;

or ki'ti; aitta chments'which is positive in-its acis 'to provide a.

tionfa'mdby means of which the various objects carried can be readilyreleased under the control 'ofthe operator. r t A further object is toprovide a, simple retaining-device or clip; so that comparativelyinskilled youngsters can readily attach the various obr' jects thereto,and operate without difiiculty.

, A further obj eet to provide a. rele'asing rnechanisi'n which light,relatively fool-proof, and

the releasing mechifki'te is" inmate, without distortion.

A further object is to provide a variety of lgite attachments whicherefsimple, can be firoduced 9m??? a :l ghtjinirei h wi'lfwiths'tand' te strains encountered while the i iw rd the Fig. 3 is ai relevgt onpf thfi u e a para c enti'a lilei tch.

i'eeichdh predeterminedaltitude, or when-the w 'iqrriieii ens arrestingthe latch i Another object is to provide .a. releasing device which :islight, rugged and will climb. the-kite string, and-lpass any knots .orother obstructions, which. maybe formed thereon, .by means of .theair-pressure hehindit witha of friction andlwithout injury to the kitestring.

The accomponyingdrawings, illustrative of .one embodiment andvarious-modifications of my invention together withnthedescription .ofconstruction and-the-method .of operation thereof, will serve toclarify. fort-her. objects ai1 1 d.,,e.'ci-

thereto, an a plurality o f sirriulated birds releasa-bly mounted on theauxiliary retainer arm. Fig. 2 represents a. view of the-kite in night,

:si l f lei'i Fig. with, t e rel s discin engage meet with ibe'releesies s en 'mgo h i latch, bpib the cl p and th u i r r taine beinop n,

wi hing rfleu ob e t? .fl eims rees roungl. 3

chuti'st, etta chedto' a pgrgchute,,with the pa rs;- 6.1. 11 psn- I iesesidel leveiienqf t e e s m me t. 91% .th el e sqsi ip Fig.,5 is a e .1 Iclip with the evsdip e QPenmwim .1? firfica stie l ihifu the liperad Ihken at s owin t il iirelsz- F W! sfif jh 9. 15- h u ih' v e n theclosed position,

. Fi i is? vetttelsefientekes at l-Fis'e showin e. r ysi ee ie g w v tws e ll lip-h 1 A. in 7 mgtne ilaet fil mvemen of, th l tch- Fig. 8 is a,front elevation of the gttach ent w n it th clip and. the elixir-latchshowing the opening in Eig. 10 is a vertical section ,thru the releaseand the plate and. =bra.cketsupporting it, taken' Fig-11 representseiron-t elevation of the re-v lease disc hub bracket, ;taken at I 11-1 1Fig. :10.

- Fig. 12 is an isoineti ic drawing of the auxiliary retainer loop loralcket which supports the pivoted.

support element of the-auxiliary retainer, show-n in Figs. 1 and 19,showing the end of the support rod in the loop of the bracket.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the miniature glider, supported by theauxiliary retainer in Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the miniature glider of Fig. 13, showingthe channel bracket, used for supporting it on the auxiliary retainer.

Fig. 15 is a rear elevation of the figure of the parachutist with theparachute rolled up and supported inside the mounting bracket, showingthe weight attached to the figure.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the figure of the parachutist of Fig. 15,showing the :m'o-unting;

bracket and the method of supporting the rolled parachute within thebracket, also the method of attaching the weight to the i-igure.

Fig. 17 is a plan View of the simulated birds,

shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a stack of birds, shown in Fig. 1'7. 2 .Jr. :i- :L' Fig. 19 is a side elevation of :the auxiliary" re- .tainerassembly, attachedto' the. clip..-

Fig. 20 represents a .sid'e' elevation oflthef attachment clipassemblyhof :Fig. 11; mounted on the kite string,with.theminiatureghder.bracket .supported directly on the lugs of thecliplatch;

Fig. 21 is a plan view'of'the hooked end of the auxiliary retaineranchor.

simulated As indicated .in Figsjl and"2,- theattachments kite, which israised by'the wind in the usual manner. M

A clip which is fitted with a quick-release latch may be attached to thekite string by looping the ends of string sectionsthru openings formedat both ends of the clip housing, or by any other suitable means. i v

7 An auxiliary retainer, formed .of aluminum ,Wire or other suitablematerial which is held on the kite string by an anchor se'ction, one endof .which has a series of coilsf'or'med thereon, the coils beingslidably supportedbythe kite string, with the opposite hooked end'pivotally attached to the clip housing may be mounted on the kitestring, adjacent the clip.

A loop formed atone end of the lower support section of the auxiliaryretainer, may be fitted into the coils in the anchor bracket, thushingedly connecting the attachment support section of the retainer tothe anchor, the free end of the support fitting into the loopedjend of aquick-release bracket, pivotally attached to theclip housing, thru anopening formed in the front end of" the clip housing.

, Various attachments in the form' ofminiature gliders, figures ofvarious types, and simulated-1.;

shaped brackets, the upper.en'd'.of..,thearmsof .whichhave openingsformed therein,-to slidably fit over the wire support oftheauxiliaryretainer,

gliders or large figures, maybe supported .on-the clip or the auxiliaryretainenby means. of U- or both lugs of the quick-release clip latch,the

to the spacing of the, slots in the clip housing. The latching elementof the quickerelease clip {may be slidably supported in the :U-shapedhous- ,ingof the clip, with .a release, flange,, loc ated. at

ing left on theg fq ni i. .1

. uslyge sine the 1 99s with the latch at the front end thereof, anopening in the angular flange fitting over the kite string to slidablysupport the flange on the kite string.

The forward edge of the angular flange, and the outer edge of thehorizontal extension of the latch are located in substantial alignmentwith .bn'eanother, to enable the plate of the release disc to engageboth surfaces "simultaneously, in order to open the latch.

A release disc consisting of a thin card-board disc, or other suitablematerial, may be mounted between a plate and a mounting bracket, theflanged arms of which may be attached by riveting or other suitablemeans to the central portion of thedisc.

r sis an e. u eredh t e. dis ,w en. it is 'sl d alon t ek te -..st e.vTh O e in s lath p a e and b a ethub .a e-made.la e enouehte clear y kmtw m y be .orm ii th iie st e- I W i e he te i in,.m ma1.; fl eht .ihe rleas dis .m be h t aqk b t e e to pr 42- p ed on the ine-;,;neer thebalisi p ly 9e9 which is controlled; by the operator theba'llibe- When thekite reaches an a tud atwhichithje operator; d si es t ;releesect e.ra iie atta hments, the release disc may be freed by the oper- -.at.or, thedisc b na ic edn by h twin ae rapid y move onetheki est i aunti the1111.11

-plate. .re hesthe ,relea eia ma d flan o the latch. 1' When the hubplateengagestherelease andth an of the he a chi s ida ori t e. cl p,housi a. the. l s fQ me.dat:the lowe .e of .t e l tch-being, mo ed freeo the s o s-in the i ew of hepl p; hq sins. husreleasin .;2. .he atachmen a; su .asthemin tu e,slide -.sh,0wn; in Fi -1 0. v the-bracke of..whi zi moileig directly on the lugs of the nd simultane- V t thepivoted a 11g 1. ,.l?h} %-"1' eea an moun n Lth arm, e ar ous ttahmeniszfie fihl5 9W ward toward the grouricbgas Fill cated in;Fig. 2

Itwi1l be understoodtha ,th foregoing general c scr i n mba sie t e kiteattachm nt clip. allXlllhlfyl a fi -l llt release me ha i uas ell asthewin ade- .lliailed de rip on; thereq .,+are-.int n ed s e no mi ope asplanatory of the there invention and not 1... 'In't drawings. t i ..sane. ce linen designate the same parts throug'hout the various viewsexcept where. otherwise indicated.,

In the kite assembly, ncw n n akitefj fl is attachedto one end of alongstring l l, the oppos ts-en f;w qhie ed'fre e b llqr eiifnc spacing ofthe arms of the bracket corresponding 70.

h wm- A i l c mrzrieilig sheeedh ii e in ich Mi ha il l lin men formedin them s: the h leing, the end of the rear portion [8 of the stringbeing sextet-a ii -a Sim-masses as sin-- ilar'op'ening l"1, f'ormedjatthe opposite en'dof the clip housing. f

auxiliary retainer l8, formed of; an alumi-- num alloy wire or othersuitable material;v may be demountably attached to one? end of the clip'housing, the hooked end 19' of the up er retainer anchor 20', beingpivotally fitted into the rear opening 7 detail in Fig'. 19, with aseries of coils 2|, formed at'ithe opposite end'ofthe auxiliary retainerauction. slidably' fitted over the" forward portion of: the kite string;the oint of attacnmentto the kite s't'ring' being far enoughawayfroln'theykite to avoid any possibility of interference with themovement of the tail 22, attached-to the-lower end'of the-kite. 4 f

fan extension leg 23 of the hooked end of the anchor bar formedsubstantially'parallel tothe lofng' anchor spacer bar 24' of the anchor,which connects, the hooked end with the multiple coils at the op ositeend;'is s aced fromtheanchor' bar, a distance slightly greatertnan thewidth across the channel side walls 25 and 26; Figs, 6 and 7;. and ismade long enough to avoid accidentalremoval" of the hooked end [9' ofthe anchor. from the'housi'n'g. I 1" .Ihrhourifing'the anchorifl on thekite string, theopen en'd of the end coil ofithe multiple coils, atoneend of the anchor, isjfitt'edover' the kite string, and the adjacentcoils looped over the kite'string until the coilsslidably fit over thekite string. g

The extension leg 24 is opening I5, at the rear end ofthe housing I3,with the spacer bar located abovethe upper connecting wall 21 of' thehousing, after whichthe anchor is rotated into a position in which thespacer bar is'substantially parallel to the side Wallsiofthe'housing,thhooked end supporting theanchor on the clip housing. p

The auxiliary retainer may be removed from the kite string and clip,when the wind is not sufii'cient'ly strong to'c'arry a large number ofattachments, by? threading the multiple coils 21 over: the. kite stringand" detaching" the hooked end!!! of the anchor from the cliphousing inthemanner above described;

The substantially L-shaped attachment upport section 30, of theauxiliary retainer'may be attached to the'anchor' by m'e'ans' of an eye"3|, formed at the upper end'of the v'ertical'arm 32;, of the supportsection,.. whichis" linke' d tothe" m u-ltiple' ccils 2ifornied at'therear end of the anchor, with the open end of the lower support rod' 33,of the auxiliary retainer support, fitted into-the looped end 34, of aloop bracket 35, the upper end'of 'which maybe pivotally attached to theclip=housingby means'of the hooked end 36 of the bracketFig. l2; whichisfitted thru the forward opening ll, formed in the clip housing, thuspivotally supporting the bracket in thejhou's ing, -the-loop3 l,- formedat the free-endof the bracket being'fitted over the rear'lug'3'L'formed1 of at' thelower end of the clip latch, Fig; 4, to hold tl1eauxiliary retainer support in theclose'd posi tion', substantiallyparallel tothe kitestringg as indicated in Fig. 1.

Thejextension'leg 40 orthepivotedloop' bracket;

formed'substantially parallel to the Thainbra'cket arm H, is spaced fromthe arm a distance greater; than' the widtha'cro'ss thefichannel sidewalls 25 and; l igs; G- and 7," and 'is'lnade' 'long'enough' to avoidaccidental removal ofith'e hooked endof the bracket fron' -th'e housing:m mo u sung" the l in the one housihg,' as indicated in then fitted intothe miniature'gli'derfl, a figure of aparachuustia ,1

. 6: l bracket f the 'clip' housing; the-eitensiori" 1 't'tefd i'ritothe' opening 'I'Tat the fo ward end or the housin with the bracketarm-- 41- located abovethejwupper connecting wall 2'lfloffthe ho'usj1118, after which the bracket is rotated mtoa tion; in which the' aim"substantiallyparall to thejside walls of the housing, the hooked endpivotally' supporting the bracket in the housing",

A plurality of attachments in the forn'iflofa carrying a parachute 44, aplurality of si'mul'atedl birds 45', or othersuitable objects orjfig'ures', may, be"1hounted o'n'the clip orthe auxiliary retainer"after'the" kite is raised to a suitable? level.

Thehar'ger'objects, such as theminiatureglide or thefigure 0f theparachutist may bernoiinte on'lthe" clip'latch or: the auxiuaryretainersu port by'means 6f brackets 46' and 41, the sub? stantially Verticalarms 48 49' of each (if which have openings 50 and 5l fo'r"nieiiat theupper'endthreof, Figs. 14 and 15, the openings inthebr'acket' armsfitting over the lugs in thf' latch or over the support arm of theauxiliary retainer support section, as indicated in Figsi 1": and 20,the'a'ctual point of mounting depending" upon the number of attachmentsused, and the orderin' which the operator desires to release' th e'l"various; attachments. Theldwer Connecting Wall? 52'of' thebracket' maybeattached to the minia-il tureglider' fuselage 53' by a plurality ofscrews" 54, or by other suitable means of attachment. Th'er'earvertica'larm 48 of the bracketlfi', supportingthe miniature'glid'er is madelonger than the front arm, and'the openings 5D'and' 5 l in the locatedin such a position, with relation to"; themin'i-a'tui'e glider,that'the' glider assumes a substantiallyhorizontal position withrelation to" the ground when the kite string assumesits norl the shortarm 49 of the bracket amaeamme position towards the kite, thusth'rowingthefuse"; l lage 53 of the glider into an acute angle withrelation to the kite string, in order to enable the top of therudder'55of the glider to clear the.

.,outer circumference of the'release'disc 56, when the releasediscassembly is move'd'along'the' kite: string to open the latch of theclip, and release theattachments in a manner hereinafter explained.

In'theasseinbly'shownin Fig. 1, thefigiire of the parachuti'St' 43 isslidably mounted on the support 'rod33 of the'auxiliary retainer bymeans of a bracket 41, similar to the one used to support the glider. Asthe rear vertical arm 49 is" shorter than the forward vertical arm ofthe bracket in the position shown, the figure assumes anfan'gularposition, with relation to the kite string in itsnorr'n'al positioman'd'also in relaf him; to theground, as indicated Fig.1; Theclip asindicated in Figs; {land 5, c0lnprises a" housing l3, formed of sheetaluminum alloy of othersu'itable material, the cross sectioirj of thechannel housing'being U-shape'd, as in'di cat'ed in Figs; 6'and '7, withala'tch I4, slida bli fitted between thechannel sidewalls 25 and 26" ofthe housing. A plurality of tubular rivets 58 may'be'used to locate thetwo channel side walls" of'the'housing; the rivets spacing thein'nersurfaces of the sidewalls, a distance'slightl'y' greater! thela'tch tohe" slid "between mesiaewaus' with;

closed position of the latch, shown in Fig. '4, the

two-lugs 31, and 62, formed at the bottom of the latch, formed parallel,with the bottom of the sidewalls f the clip housing are insubstantialalignment with two; U -sh aped slots .63 and 64, formed at the lower endof the channel side walls of. the clip housing.

A depression 65 may be formedin one side wai f I. 6 knots .formed in thekite string, wh'en'the release),

26 of ,the housing, theouter hemisphericalsurface Y formed by, thedepression, pressing the 'bod'y't'o f the latch against theoppositesidewall .25, ,while thailatch ismovedintothe closed position, thepressurepf the. hemispherical surface against the j latch acting as acheck to prevent the accidentalopening of the latch, when it isin theclosed position, showninFig. 4.

fl it. fiange'fil formedbyf'foldi'ng the outer end fof the.

.the. front endof, the latch extension 66,.a.

latchcextension to a position angularly disposed to. the axis of thelatch body, and a folded contaotend 6.8, formed by twisting theintermediate sectionjof the. latch extension to a plane sub-- stantiallyperpendicular .tothe body of. the latch,

ar'ejformed integral with the bodyof the latch. Anlopening fifi formedin the upper portion of gageboth. surfaces simultaneously, in the t Thesimulated birds 45, may be slidably mcu'n'ted on the lower support rod33, of the auxiliary retainer, indicated in Fig. 1, or mounted on one ofthe lugs 31 and 62 of the, clip latch,

by means of an opening it formed in the tail" of the bird body, Fig..17. The birds maybe re leased from the clip or the auxiliary retainerin the saniefmanner as the other attachments hereinbe'fore "described: I

In; order to release the various attachments frtiin thelclip and, theauxiliary retainer, a Ire-- lease disc'assembly M, shown in detail; inFigs. 9'

an fi liL may'be slid alongthe kite string, the

win pressure against the bod of the disc 56 carrying the disc assemblydiagonally upward along the kite string, until the plate 16, mountedats-ubstantially the center of the forward face of'tlre disc engages theflange 61 and. the'contact end'BBof the latch, thus sliding the latchalong the clip housing from the closed position, shown in'fFi'g. '4, tothe. open position, shownin Fig. .5, with/the lugs out of alignment withthe slots 63ajhd'64 in the side walls of the clip housing.

The release'disc assembly l4, shown in detail inl igs'." 9 and 1'0,constitutes essentially a sub-, stantially. circular .disc .56, with anopening 11.

formed at the center thereof. A. substantially" U-"shapedbracket 18, thelower end of the legs l9'offwhich are flanged to fitthe face of thedisc,'. mayfbe 'attacheditoithe disc b means of tubular? rivets '80,which connectjthe forward plate E6, the

disc; and the lower flanges of the disc bracket.

The vjhub 8| formed inthe rear wall of the disc bracket;1Fig...11,islarger, in diameter, thanJlhe 1 width of the bracket. legs, an opening82 being.

prey dedatthacenter of the hub, withthe, rim,(

theopening flanged inward, ,the openendof, cumference being..fianged.outward,. aii

and previously described,

.ri ever e use cornersbeing' rounded, to provideasniooth Sui-5, face inengagement withthe kite string,'to 're-' duce frictional resistanceagainst the kite Stringto :a, minimum, in order to .avoid cuttingor'tear ing the string,,and to .facilitatemovement oven,

disc isslid along,.toward the ,cliplatch' controls." .1] The plate 16,located at the forward facelofj. the release disc has a similar opening84 formed ,thru the center thereof, with the rim 85 of theopeningfianged inward, the Open end'of thelrim; circumference beingflanged outward, all corners being rounded, in the same manneras that.of) the opening formed in the hub of ,thebracket 18],;

The openings 84in the release disc plateand 82 in the hub of the bracket18 are made,consider;

. ably larger than thediameter of .the kite string in order to. v enablethe disc assembly to slide along the kite stringfand pass over anyknotsj formed in the string, or knotted joints 9! formed; whensectionsof the string are tied. together,. as shown in Figs. 1,2 and 20.p ,Q j .A weight 86 may be attached to the rear end of the bodyoi thefigure 43 of the parachutist by means ,of rivets 8 1, or other suitablemeans," of attachment, as indicated in Figs. 3 and l5 theweight movingthe figure into a substantially vertical position, thus facilitating theremoval on, the parachute fromthe bracket attachedto the figure, whenthe bracket and figure are released; from the auxiliary retainer supportrod a maintaining the figure in the substantially ye tical position,while it is floating downward, wi the parachuteopen, as indicatedfatFig. 3, The figure maybe attached to one arm oi, the bracket l'i bymean'sof a plurality of hollow rivets 88, or by other suitable means.oiattachment. The parachute 44, Fig. 3, made of thin pap er,j

or othersuitable materials'may be attached to" the lower connectingwall52ofthe bracket 41,,

attached to the figure of the parachutist by means ofaplurality ofangular strings 9|. The lower end of the stringsma pass thru an open ingformed in the lower connectin'g.wall 52 of the, bracket, a knot52;,formed at the freeend of the strings preventing the accidentalremovalof the] strings thru the opening. Other means of attachment ofthe parachute, known to the art may The method of .assemblyof the,various .units tothe. kitestring and, the method of peration areessentially as ,follows: I .Before the end of the kite string-isattached to the guy. strings..95,.of the kite, the release dis.c,.-.

assembly 14 is, slidably mounted on the kite... string by threading thefree end of the kite string thru the openings. 82 and 84 in'the releasediscabr acket...and plate respectively, the kite .stringt; being fedfrom a ball or reel, which rests on themground.,or .is held by theoperator, in the con-- ventionalanannen,

. The end -01 the, rear section=l6 of the kitestring is then slippedthru the opening 69, formed ,r in the flange 61, at the forward end ofthe-latch which. is slidabl-y assembled in the clip housing; as.indicatedin Fig.4, after which the kite string end is slipped thru theopening I! formed in theforward endofthe clipthousing and tiedinto aknot, to secureit to the housing. One end. ofa. shirtlength 98 of thekite string, approximatelytwo feet long may then be fed thru the openingl5 in'the rear end of the clip housingandknottedtosecureit-to.-.the.clip housing, theother end-,-

of the stringlensthaa.belnalefttree.,

. The kite is then raised, in the conventional manner to a convenientheight, at which it is stabilized in flight, after which the free end ofthe kite string I I, is attached byknotting 91, or other suitable meansto the free end of the short length .SBofkite string, attached to theclip'housing.

eThis provides the kite and clip assembly, shown Zinr'igzo. I

One or more attachments, such as the miniature glider 42, the figure -ofthe parachutist 43,

= the simulated birds 45, may be mounted directly on the lugs 31 and 62of the latch, by passing the lugs thru the openings 50 and formed in thebracket 46 or 41, attached to the miniature :glider or the figure of theparachutist, in the -'manner previously described, or the opening 70 I.formed in the tail of the simulated birds 45 or other simple figuremay-be slipped over one of the lugs 31 or 62 of the clip latch, when theclip is in the open position, shown in Fig. 5. The clip latch is thenmoved into the closed position, :shown in Fig. 4, thus locking theattachment in place. I 1 While the release disc assembly Hand the ballof string are on the ground, the operator feeds ,the rear section I6, ofthe kite string thru his hand, thus allowing the kite to rise to anyheight to which the wind will carry it, the clip and the attachmentsmounted on it being carried up with the kite string.

The operator may then grip a portion of the,-

. kite string,behind the release disc assembly, the ball of string beingleft on the ground, after which the operator continues to feed the kitestring -thru his hand, allowing the release disc assembly,

.the plate 16 and bracket 18 Of-WhiCh are slidably I, mounted on thekite string, to be carried upward by the kite for a short distance,after which the wind pressure behind the release disc,rapidly elez-vatesthe disc assembly along the kite string. The

= wind continues to move the release disc assembly 1 until the plate'lfiat the front of the release disc engages the free end of the flange 61,and the contact arm- 68, of the clip latch, the momentum of the releasedisc assembly and the wind pres- -;sure combining to move the clip latchfrom the closed position, shown in Fig. 4-to the openposi- .-.tion,shown in Fig. 5, thereby releasing the attachments, and allowing them tofall freely toward-the ground, as indicated in Fig. 2. Y Where the windvelocity is sufiiciently strong to support additional attachments, theupper anchor 20 of the auxiliary retainer l8, may be attached to theopening H: at the rear end of the clip housing, and the coils 2i formedat the rear end of the anchor, threaded over the kite string, ;-to theposition shown in Fig. 1, while the kite is .in flight, withoutdisturbing the clip assembly,

which is already attached to. the kite string. By mounting variousattachments, such as the -miniature glider, the figure of theparachutist, andthe simulated birds on the lower rod, of the supportsection. of the auxiliary retainer, a large number ofattachments may be.mounted son the kite string. I v Thefree end of the lower support barmay then 2'10 :be slippedinto the loop 34 of the-loop bracket, which isfitted over the rear lug 31,0f the clip I latch, the latchbeing-manuallymoved into closed position, as indicated in Fig.1;

The kite string, with the plurality of attachments mounted on theauxiliary retainer, is then fed by the operator, untilthe kite reaches asuitable height, afterjwhich the release disc assembly 14 is freed bythe operator, and the wind pressure carries itupward along the kitestring until the plate reaches the flange and control arm of the cliplatch, in the manner previously described, the continued movement of therelease disc assembly moving the clip latch from the closedto theopenposition, thus allowing the loop 34 of the loop bracket to slip off thelug, thereby allowing the open end of the lower support rod of the.auxiliaryretainer support to drop, the various attachments beingprogressively released, as indicated inFig, 2. r

The number of attachment-smounted on the kite string would depend uponthe size of the kite,

the weight of thevarious attachments, the numher lugs on the releasingclip, the size and type of the auxiliary retainer used, and the velocityof the wind.

Ordinarily, in order to offer a minimum restraint to the altitude of thekite in flight, one clip and one auxiliary: retainer would be used, withthree, or four attachments mounted on them.

Where thekite is flown at a time when the wind, is not particularlystrong, only one clip would be used with the attachment or theattachment bracket mounted directly on the lugs of the latch, asindicated in Fig. 20, the auxiliary retainer being removed or omitted toreduce the weight carried by the kite.

It will, accordingly, be appreciated that the kite attachments, clip,auxiliary retainer and release mechanism, herein described, has new anduseful constructional. and operational features offering distinctadvantages over existing types of kite attachment supports. It will,moreover, be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoingdescription of the'various modifications of theconstructionisillustrative, and that numerous changes can be madetherein, without departing. from the essentials of the invention whichis, rather defined by the appended claims.

What I claim asnewand desire to secure by Letters Patent .is:-.

1. A device for-detachably supporting a plurality of objects on a kitestring, attached tov a kite, comprising -a clip, said clip including ahousing, means for attaching the housing to the kite string, alatchslidablyfltted within said housing, means formed integral with saidlatch for detachably supporting one of said objects, means formedintegral with the latch for moving the latch from theclosedto the openposition, an auxiliary retainer, said. retainer comprising an I anchorbracket pivotally attached to one end of the clip housing, means forslidably supporting said anchor bracket on the kite string, anattachment support pivotallyattached to said anchor bracket, saidsupport being adapted for slidably holding a plurality of objects, meanspivotally attached to the clip housing for releasably supporting theopen end of the attachment support on the support means/of the cliplatch, and means formed integral with one end of the clip latch forsliding the latch from the closed to the open position, the objectsslidably mounted on said retainer support being progressively releasedwhen the latch is opened.

2. The combination with a kite and string attached thereto, of a clip, aplurality of objects adapted to gravitate toward the ground whenreleased, said clip includinga substantially U-shaped housing, means-for attachingthe'housing to the kite string, a latch slidabl'y fittedbetween the walls of said housing, a plurality of lugs formed integralwith-said -latch for detachably supporting some of said objects, aplurality -of slotsformed in the walls of said housing; insubstantialalignment with said lugs, inthe closed position, meansformed'integral with said latch for'moving the latch from the closed tothe open position,}'an auxiliary retainer, said retainercomprising ananchor bracket,;pivotally atta'chedto one end of the clip housing, meansfor slidably supporting said anchor-bracket 'on the kite s' tr i'ng, anattachment support, pivotally attached to sa'id anchor bracket, saidsupport being adapted to slidably hold a plurality of releasable---objets, 'a looped bracket pivotally attached 'to'th clip housing forreleasably supporting the open end "of'the attachment support on one ofthe lugs of the clip latch, and control eleinents' formed'integral withone end of the clip 'latch'for slidingith'e'latch from the closed to theopen position, the; objects slida'bly mounted on the 'retainer supportbeing progressively released'when' the latch-is opened.

3. In combination with a kite and a string at- "tachedthereto', aclipj'a'plurality of objects adapted to gravitate toward the ground whenreleased, said fc'lip comprising a housing of substantially I Urshaped'cross-section, said clip housingbeing attached to theQkite string, a'latch slidably mounted between the -'walls' oj'saidclip housing,

means formed integral;with'said latph for detachably supportingajplurality of -objects, control elements formed integral withsaidlatchfor sliding the latch from the closed to theopen position; an auxiliaryretainer, s aid auxiliary retainercomprising an anchormemberpivotallyattached to the clip'body, theopposite end of said anchormember being slidably. supported on the kite string, an attachmentsupport section fprslidably supporting a plurality .of objects,pivotally at tached to said anchor, member, means pivotally attachedtothe clip housing for releasably supporting the op en end fjthe supportsection on one of the latch lugs, a i sc assemblyslidably mounted on thekite string,"for engagingthejcon-' trol elements of the latch, said disc'asse'mbly'being, slidably moved alongthe kite string by the velocity ofth'e wind, the latchbeing moved from the closed to the open'position.Thereby releasing the support section of the auxiliary retainer,

, clip housing, a plurality of lugs formed integral with said latchfordetachably supporting an object which 'gravit-ates downward whenreleased, control elements formed integral with said latch for slidingthe latch from the closed to the open position, an auxiliary retainer,said auxiliary re- ,tainer comprising an anchor member, pivotallyattached to the clip housing, the opposite end of said anchor memberbeing slidably supported on the kite string, an attachment supportsection for slidably supporting a plurality oi objects, pivotallyattached to said anchor member, a looped therein, in substantialalignment witha angularly elevat bracket pivotally attached to the cliphousing for releasably supporting the openfend of-the support section ononebffthflathflugsfa disc assembly, slidably mounted c'n-the kitestring, for engaging the control elementso'f th latch, said discassembly being carried along the kite string by the velocity of thewind,'- s'aidlatch being movedfrom the closed to the open position,thereby releasing the support s'ec'tion oi the auxiliary retaineri wlginthe disc assembly engages the control" elements of the latch, theobjects -desjcending toward-the t Y d 5. A releasing member lidablymountedkite string, attachedftdak1 e,'compris'ing d sc, a plateadjoining oh e fac o f 'the' "disc, ahdasubstantially U shapedbr'acketfsaid bracket having a plurality of flanges formedthereinfniounted at the opposite=face*o'f'said disc; mean rev attachingthe'bracket-fiang'es and the pl e to the release disc, 7 said'platehavinjg an" Gpening f-or'fned 7 jfi formed at thecenter"of?th'e"disc,=said pia'te ppeping being larger thafi'the diameterof thejkite string to pass knots fornid int'he kite 'stringlthe rim ofsaid ope'ning being flanged inward; with the free-end of therim-circumference flanged outward, the junction corners being rounded,to facilitate sliding the disc assembly alongthe kite string, the outerwall of the bracket having a similar opening formed therein, the rimofsaid opening being flanged inward, with the free end of the rimcircumference flanged outward-,"the

j unctiori' corners being I rounded, --said openings being slidablymounted the kite mag when the disc in ,its correct position, w ith*relation 'to the, kite string; while the releasingjmember-is halong'the kite sltrings 6. A figure for-detachablemounting 011 areleasing support element of a retaining member,

"mounted af kite string, attachedto a kite, ycomprising 'a formed asubstantially; U-

shaped bracket attached to saidfigu're, one arm of said bracket beinglonger than the other to control the angular position ofthe figure withratta t n t-s s san eac r sa bracket armshaving an opening formedtherein adjacent' the open end "thereof; {said openings slid 'ablyfitting over the support element (JP-theretaining member, attachedto'the kite stringyand a parachute rolled into the 'inner portion-of thell shaped bracket,-the'fr ee end of the strings attached to said-parhutebeing'attachedto'said bracket, said parachi opening to retard'therate of descent of said figure, when the bracket arms are released fronrthe support elemen 'of the retainin'gmemben H 4 7. A figure of aarachutis't for detachable mounting "on a releasing support element of aretaining member mounted ona-kite strin ;,;attached to a kite,comprising" a figure in the form of a parachutist, a substantially U-'s1'1ap ed bracket attached to said figure, one arm of said bracket beinglonger than the other to control the angular position of the figure withrelation to'the kite string, each of said bracket armshaving'a'n openingformed therein adjacent the'openend thereof, said openings slidablyfitting ver, the support element of the retaining memberattached to thekite string, a parachute rolled into the inner portion of "the U-shapedbracketfthe free end of theangularjst'rings attached to said parachutebeing attached to said bracket," anda weight attached to t he body ofthe figure said ,w i htra ce eratin t e. rate q gia n ba figure assemblyand controlling-"the angular posi- 13 tion of the figure, the parachuteopening to retard the rate of falling of said figure, when the bracketarms are released from the support .element of the retaining member.

8. A figure for detachable mounting on a releasing support element of aretaining member mounted on a kite string attached to a kite, comprisinga formed figure, a substantially U-shaped bracket attached to saidfigure, each of the arms of said bracket having an opening formedadjacent the outer end thereof, said openings slidably fitting over thesupport element of the retaining member, attached to the kite string, a.parachute rolled into the inner portion of the U-shaped brackelgthe freeend of the strings attached to said parachute being attached to saidbracket, and a weight attached to the body of the figure, said weightcontrolling the angular position of the figure, the parachute opening toregulate the rate of falling of the figure, when the bracket arms arereleased from the support element of the retaining member.

9. A quick-release clip for detachably supporting an object whichgravitates downward when released, on a kite string attached to a kite,comprising a substantially U-shaped housing, a latch slidably mountedbetween the walls of said housing, a plurality of lugs formed integralwith said latch for detachably supporting said object, a plurality ofrivets for relatively locating th side walls of the housing, said latchhaving a plurality of slots formed therein, the ends of said slotsengaging the rivets for limiting the lateral movement of the latch inboth directions, the walls of said housing having a plurality ofsubstantially U-shaped slots formed therein, in substantial alignmentwith the latch lugs in the closed position, one wall of said housinghaving a depression formed therein, the surface of said depression, atthe inner side of the wall, pressing the latch against the opposite wallto check the movement of the latch in the closed position, the walls ofsaid housing having a plurality of openings formed therein, adjacent theends thereof, the ends of the kite string fitting thru said openings forattaching the string tothe'housing, and control elements formed integralwith one end of the latch for sliding the latch from the closed to theopen position.

10. In combination with a kite and a string attached thereto, aquick-release clip, said clip comprising a housing of substantiallyU-shaped.

cross-section, a latch slidably mounted between the walls of saidhousing, a plurality of lugs formed integral with said latch fordetachably supporting a plurality of objects, control elements formedintegral with said latch for sliding the latch from the closed to theopen position, an auxiliary retainer, said retainer comprising an anchormember, pivotally attached to the clip housing, a plurality of coilsformed at the opposite end of said anchor member being slida bly mountedon the kite string, an attachment support section for slidablysupporting a plurality of objects pivotally attached to said coils, abracket pivotally attached to said housing, the free end of said brackethaving a loop formed therein, said loop releasably supporting the openend of the support section on one of the latch lugs, a disc assemblyslidably mounted on the kite string, said disc assembly comprising adischaving an opening formed therein, a plate attached to one face ofsaid disc, a bracket attached tothe opposite face of said disc, saidplate and bracket each having an opening formed therein, substantiallyin alignment with the opening in the plate, the diameter of saidopenings being larger than the kite string to enable said disc assemblyto readily pass knots in the kite string, said disc assembly beingelevated along the kite string under momentum of the wind velocity, whenthe disc assembly is released by the operator, the plate engaging thecontrol elements of the latch to move the latch from the closed to theopen position, thereby releasing the support section of the auxiliaryretainer, the object gravitating' toward the ground when released.

JOSEPH WOLF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

